Gender Influence on Students’ Attitude in Accessing Chemistry Education in Nigerian University
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Date
2013
Authors
Okafor, N
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Higher Education Research and Policy Network (HERPNET)
Abstract
The paper has examined the influence of gender on Nigerian university students’ attitudes in accessing chemistry education. Two research questions were formulated and analysed using simple percentages, t-test and chi-square statistical tools. It was an ex-post facto research that made use of 353 undergraduate chemistry and engineering students (192 males and 161 females). The instrument used for data collection was Gender and Access to Chemistry Education Questionnaire (GACEQ). The findings showed that undergraduate students’ attitude in accessing chemistry education is gender-related. Females had a significant positive attitude in accessing chemistry education than males. The preference for male undergraduate chemistry students on entropy, enthalpy changes, algebraic process, qualitative and quantitative analysis outweighs that of the females. Also, females prefer nuclear chemistry to males/boys. The paper suggested that institutions and all tiers of governments should ensure that they integrate gender sensitivity in accessing chemistry education as part of admissions criteria. The paper concluded that adequate investment in gender balance could intensify capacity building for all those that are involved in chemistry education thereby improving scientific and technological literacy; enhance achievement, good governance and socio-economic development of Nigeria. These also would guarantee and increase equitable participation of women and men in the academics and labour market for economic independence and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Nigerian University. , Gender influence , Accessing Chemistry , Students’ Attitudes , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Education
Citation
Okafor, N. (2013). Gender influence on students’ attitude in accessing chemistry education in Nigerian University. Journal of Educational Review (JER). 6(1), 87-92. A Publication of Higher Education Research and Policy Network (HERPNET), Nigeria Chapter. Department of Educational Foundations, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos. ISSN: 0975-4792